Newton Abbot 15 : Tavistock 22

Tavistocks first league game of the season was one for the forwards with all 3 tries going to them. All of the Totnes points came from penalty kicks as the Tavistock defence gave hardly any try scoring opportunities. Two early long range penalties enabled the home side to take a six point lead. Tavistock eventually got some possession and a series of drives saw them get to within 5 metres of the line. Tavistock won the resulting lineout and quick ball from Niall Murphy, who had a superb game, enabled Josh Leeson to feed Mark Friend who powered over in the corner. The home side came back but good clearing up by George Rogers and Josh Leeson touch kicking kept them at bay. However, 2 more penalties enabled the home side to take a seven point lead. A tremendous low kick by Leeson resulted in a lineout 5 metres out. From the lineout Tavy gained possession and after several drives Tavy went over but were held up. After the scrum, a ruck 5 metres out saw Murphy and Leeson work the ball to Joe Hair who powered over for the try. Jez Cramoyson put the conversion over to level the scores. Totnes hit back and another penalty saw them regain the lead. After a series of scrums, a ruck 10 metres out formed and Leeson fed Dan Oner who went over for the try. Cramoyson converted. Shortly after, the lead was further increased when Cramoyson stroked over a penalty. Totnes tried to find a way back into the game and a break up the wing was foiled by a superb tackle from Rob Hockin. There were no further scores and Tavy ran out deserved winners.

Tavistock 41 : Teignmouth 5

An excellent display of running rugby and handling saw Tavistock run in seven tries in a superb performance. Early pressure produced a lineout ten metres out which saw the ball fed to Josh Leeson to go over for the opening try which he converted. A Jack Bond break up the wing saw him stopped short of the line but a turnover ball from a 5 metre scrum enabled Mark Friend to power over for a second score. The home side were continually pressing and another take at a lineout saw Niall Murphy break through several tackles to touchdown. Tavistock were now rampant and a pick up by Dan Oner on halfway saw him out sprint the visitors defence to touch down under the posts. Jez Cramoysan converted. The visitors hit back with a well worked try. The next score came from Monty Burdfield who cut through the visitors defence after receiving a beautifully timed pass from Ed Longden who also converted. A turnover from a scrum enabled Burdfield, Robin Jones and Dan Cunningham make a break but lost possession in the twenty two. All the team were joining in with Jack Miller and Bond making good breaks. A chance of a try for the visitors was thwarted by a great covering tackle by Bond. The next score came from scrum half Ross Malton who picked a loose ball from a scrum to go over. An amazing weaving, side stepping run from Friend from his own twenty two nearly resulted in the try of the match for Oner but he could not hold onto the pass. However, he redeemed himself as he took the ball off the back of a lineout in his own half and powered through the defence to complete the scoring.

Paignton 22 : Tavistock 24

This was very much a game of two halves with Tavistock dominating the first half and the home side the second. The early play saw both sides win penalties and kicking to touch to gain ground. The first score came when scrum half Niall Murphy scragged his opposite number at a scrum in the home side twenty two. The resulting turnover ball was fed along to Mark Friend who squeezed in at the corner for the opening try. Some strong kicking from Josh Leeson kept the play in the visitors half however a charge down nearly brought a try for the home team but George Rogers managed to smother the ball before the opposition could pounce on it. The home side narrowed the score with a penalty. Tavistock increased their lead with a classic forwards try. From a lineout deep in the Paignton twenty two, a catch by Dan Oner set up a rolling maul that resulted in front row Joe Hair being driven over. The next try soon followed as a loose ball was hacked through by Monty Burfield who continued his run to pick up and touchdown under the posts. Leeson converted. Right on half time a Tavistock penalty struck the post. The second half started with both sides trading possession without threatening but the home side then managed to get a try in the corner. Again they pressed but an interception by Friend deep in his own twenty two saw him sprint the length of the pitch to touchdown. Leeson converted. Paignton upped their game and reduced the deficit with two converted tries, however Tavistock managed to see out the game to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Ivybridge 68 : Tavistock 0

Tavistock suffered their first defeat of the season when they came up against a well drilled and organised home side who displayed an authority in all aspects of the game. The early stages saw Tavistock press into the Ivybridge twenty two but loose possession saw them clear the danger and enable them to break and register their first score. A weaving run by Tom Thursby put Dan Cunningham away on the wing but he was put into touch before he could get into the corner. The home side hit back with further well constructed scores but Tavistock kept plugging away but could not break through the home defence. The home side were dominating in the lineout and this was providing a good platform from which to mount their attacks. The plus points for Tavistock was the scrum that was more than a match for the home side, the tackling by Jack Bond, Robin Jones, Jez Cramoysan and Jack Miller which saw them repel the opposition on numerous occasions, George Rogers fielding the high ball well in very windy conditions and the all round attitude of the players in competing right to the final whistle as the score mounted.

Plymstock 32 : Tavistock 29

Tavistock slipped to their second defeat of the season as the home side grabbed the points with the last play of a closely fought game. Early Tavistock possession was lost as the home side squeezed in at the corner for the opening score. Tavistock hit back with a Jez Cramoysan penalty before some good handling by the backs enabled Dan Oner to break away and touch down under the posts. Cramoysan converted. The home side hit back with a penalty and then increased their lead with a drive over for a try in the corner. Monty Burdfield nearly broke through after a great run from his own twenty two and then Niall Murphy was just put out in the corner after being fed by Oner. The second half began with both teams trading possession until a great take at a lineout by Robin Jones saw the ball fed across the backs to Mark Friend who accelerated down the wing to touchdown. Josh Leeson converted. The home side retook the lead with a penalty. This did not last long as another take from Jones at a lineout set up a classic rolling maul that took Joe Hair over for a try. Leeson converted. Tavistock increased their lead as Friend scored his second try with another devastating run up the wing and touchdown in the corner. The home side hit back with a break down the wing that saw the ball worked across for a try in the corner. With time running out , Tavistock came under severe pressure and could not gain possession and following a series of scrums and penalties close to the line, the home side grabbed the win with a try in the corner.

Plymouth Argum 0 : Tavistock 7

In a scrappy, low scoring game played in awkward conditions, Tavistock just shaded the result. The match kicked off in very windy conditions and Tavistock created the early pressure with a series of line outs and scrums ten metres out but apart from a break off the back of the scrum by Mark Friend threatened little and the home side relieved the pressure by clearing downfield. Both teams were contributing to their own downfall with handling errors when in good positions. A drive for the line by the home side was held up by Tavistock. Arguam then had the chance of points from a penalty kick but the kick sailed wide in the strong wind. In the second half Tavistock had the wind at their backs and some good kicks by Josh Leeson kept play in the opposition half. Probing runs from deep were made by Mark Friend, Monty Burdfield and Dan Cunningham but good defending kept them out. Tavistock then had a chance of points with a penalty kick but this drifted wide of the posts. Both sides were trading possession with indifferent handling. Arguam had the chance to take the lead with another penalty but again failed to find the target. From the resulting twenty two drop out a loose pass on halfway was intercepted by Dan Cunningham who out sprinted the Arguam defence to touch down under the posts. Tom Thursby stroked over the conversion. The home side now upped the pressure as time was running out and a series of scrums and tap penalties were repelled by the Tavistock defence as they got back to winning ways with this narrow victory.

Tavistock 43 : Torquay 0

A display of running rugby saw Tavistock produce a performance which saw 7 players running in tries. Early pressure came from Tavistock but the visitors repelled them and forced them back into their own twenty two. Good handling by Dan Cunningham and Rob Hocking, who had an excellent match, created a chance for Jack Bond but he was crowded out. The first try came to Tom Rickard who burst onto a pass from Ed Longden to go in under the posts. An breakaway by the Torquay wing was thwarted by a tremendous tap tackle by Callum McCormick and another break by the visitors was thwarted by Rickard as he ripped the ball on his own line. A series of high balls by the visitors were calmly dealt with by Hallam Bourton who had a tremendous game at full back. Tavistock upped the pace in the second half and Dan Oner went through for a try after Longden and Mark Friend worked the ball to him. The next score came following a scrum ten yards out as Rickard and Longden combined to put Tom Thursby through to touchdown. The home side were now threatening every time they had the ball. Good handling almost got Richie Coker in at the corner and from the resulting lineout, a drive by the forwards saw Joe Hair charge through from 5 metres to touchdown. Soon after, penalty in midfield saw the ball worked through to Friend who powered through to score. The next try came after Josh Leeson picked up and strode through to set up Bond who put in Rufus Gould who went in under the posts. The final score came from Monty Burdfield who burst through the defence to touchdown. Ed Longden capped a good display by kicking four conversions

Brixham 13 : Tavistock 20

Colts go 3-on-the bounce at Brixham Tavistock produced a comprehensive all round display to secure a 13-20 victory away at Brixham.

In perfect conditions, Tavistock started well only to be pinned back into their own 22 by strong running from the Brixham centres. Under pressure, Tavistock then gave away a penalty in front of the posts to present Brixham with a 3 point lead. From the restart the forwards quickly made amends with consistent line-out wins by Oner and Jones allowing Leeson to make good use of his accurate right boot. Reward for Tavistock's increasing possession came after 10 minutes when good handling across the backs saw Bond beat 3 Brixham players to score in the corner. A tough period of play then saw Tavistock's territorial gains given away by needless infringements. Fortunately Brixham, who were always dangerous in the loose, were not able to take advantage and powerful tackling gradually saw Tavistock forwards gain dominance. A good Tavistock scrum on the left hand side then saw Murphy retrieve the ball which passed through all the backs to the far side of the pitch for Coker to burst past his opposite number and score in the corner. Brixham again pressed Tavistock and worked the ball well to their overlapping full back whose try brought the score to 8-10 at half time.

The second half saw Tavistock gradually take control with powerful forward play and good half back control providing a platform for the increasingly confident backs. Brixham however were not deterred and, against the run of play, broke through the defence to take the lead. Strategic substitutions by coach Will Reed gave Tavistock fresh legs after which they struck back with a Leeson penalty and then secured the game with another well worked backs' try allowing Cunningham to close out the game 20-13. This was a good performance from the whole team showing the benefit of the hard work on the training ground during the start of the season.

Devonport 12 : Tavistock 0

Tavistock failed to register a score for only the second time this season in this hard fought game. The early pressure came from the home side but good defending kept them at bay. A series of scrums and line outs saw Services drive for the line and following a scrum 5 metres out the Services scrum half dummied the Tavistock defence to go over for the opening try. Tavistock responded and a fine run by Jack Bond saw him stopped just short of the line. A series of scrums and line outs saw the home side desperately defending but drives by Mark Friend and Dan Oner were stopped short of the line. A scrum on halfway saw the ball worked out to Dan Cunningham who made good ground but was tackled out before he could get the ball down. The home side responded and some good handling saw them go over for their second try. A try seemed to be on for Niall Murphy as he broke off the back of a ruck 10 metres out but inexplicably the referee called him back for a Tavistock penalty. The remainder of the first half saw Tavistock camped in the home side twenty two but were unable to make a breakthrough. The second half saw the home side up the pace but great covering tackles by Tom Thursby and Robin Jones kept them at bay. A red card in the second half saw Services reduced to 14 players. Breaks for the line by Services were stopped by good tackles by Dan Cunningham and Callum McCormick. A tap penalty by Oner in his own twenty two saw him make ground into Services territory but possession was lost. The game petered out with a series of scrums and line outs as both sides probed each other’s defence but could not find a way through.

Kingsbridge 26 : Tavistock 0

A good first half performance by Tavistock was undone in the second half as the home sides pack upped their game to set a platform for them to run in 3 tries. The early stages of the half saw Tavistock make ground without really threatening the line. The home side slowly got their game together but a series of penalties saw them give away possession. Midway through the first half, Tavistock had the chance for the first points of the game with a long range penalty. Jez Cramoysan’s kick struck the post and as Robin Jones followed up, he lost control of the rebound a couple of metres short of the line. The home side hit back and breaks for the line were halted by good tackling by Mark Friend and Dan Cunningham and clearing kicks by Josh Leeson. The opening try came as the home side took a quick tap penalty, followed by a drive for the line that just managed to go over. The home side ran in 2 more tries early in the second half after turnovers at scrums in the Tavistock twenty two. Their third try came straight from the restart as they gained possession and fed the ball quickly through the hands to go in at the corner. A lineout on half way saw the ball go to Ali Dawe who made a good break but was turned over. Another probe by Tavistock enabled Tom Thursby to make ground and feed Jack Bond who was held up 10 metres out. Both sides were now making mistakes but their defences held and the home side closed out the game in the Tavistock twenty two.

Tavistock 22 : Newton Abbot 15

On a freezing windy day, Tavistock got back to winning ways with a performance of running rugby that saw them score all their points in the first half. Strong defence in the second half made sure that they restricted the opposition to two late tries. Tavistock kicked off and early pressure saw several lineouts in which Tavistock dominated. One of these led to a drive which resulted in a penalty being given to Tavistock which Josh Leeson kicked for the opening score. Newton Abbot then hit back and crossing by Tavistock resulted in a scrum being awarded which led to a penalty from which the visitors levelled the score. Tavistock hit back and after a period when they were camped in the opposition twenty two, a drive saw Joe Hair pick the ball up 5 metres out to go over and score the opening try. Lesson converted. The tackling by the home side was keeping the visitors at bay. Probing runs from Jack Bond and Niall Murphy were stopped short by the visitors, however good handling resulted in the ball being fed out to George Rogers who touched down. Lesson converted. The second half saw the visitors putting on the pressure but with great defence from Ali Dawe, who was outstanding throughout the whole game, Jez Cramoysan, Rob Hocking and Bond, the ball was fed to Leeson who cleared with a kick to touch. The home forwards won the line out and worked the ball out to Mark Friend who made ground. The ball was then fed out to Dan Oner who then made a run into the visitors twenty two and off loaded to Rogers who went in at the corner for his second try. The visitors then upped the pressure which saw them score two tries in quick succession in the final 10 minutes of the game but Tavistock held on to win. This was a good all round team performance that was a pleasure to watch.

Tavistock 14 : Plymouth Argum 0

A hard fought match saw Tavistock secure a solid 14-0 win over Arguam at Sandy Park. After a bright start by Arguam, Tavistock secured the first points of the game by a Josh Leeson penalty. Not to be deterred, Arguam fought back and, winning a lineout on Tavy's 5 metre line, pounded the try line. However, Tavistock's defence remained solid and after winning the scrum were able to clear to halfway. Good handling across the backs then pressurised Arguam into giving away a second penalty just outside their 22m, enabling Leeson to make it 6-0. Arguam again surged forward and pressurised Tavistock's try line, but to no avail.

The second half was very similar to the first, with hard tackling, rucking and running on both sides making it a very entertaining game to watch. The game remained finely balanced until, with around 10 minutes to play, Tavistock spread the ball wide and recycled efficiently for captain Robin Jones to power over from 15 metres, Leeson's conversion drifting wide. More good pressure won Tavistock another penalty deep in Arguam territory, which Leeson converted with 3 minutes to play, making it 14-0 and securing the game for the home team. This was a very good win for the Colts against a hard hitting Arguam team, who hope to build on this success against Kingsbridge next week.

Tavistock 13 : Totnes 22

Tavistock Colts started the second half of the season by slipping to their fifth defeat against Totnes. Tavistock created the early pressure which resulted in a penalty, Josh Leeson kicked for a line out which was won by the home side, this then saw a display of running rugby and resulted in Dan Cunningham scoring a try in the corner. Both sides traded pressure with a series of line outs and scrums until a penalty was awarded to the visitors and this was converted. The rest of the first half continued in the same vein which saw Tavistock dominate the line outs. Jack Bond made a series of probing runs into the visitors 22 but was stopped short. A penalty was awarded to the home side in front of the post and saw Leeson convert to extend Tavistock lead. A try by the visitors equal the score to end the first half. The second half saw both start the game the same way as the first but Tavistock conceded another try which the visitors converted. Tavistock continued to win the line out but the visitors had the upper hand but Bond was able to break though their defence and score a try in the corner narrowing the score to two points. With Totnes continuing runs into the home side 22, tackles by Mark Friend and George Rogers kept them out. With time running out Tavistock came under severe pressure and they tried to mauve the ball out of their 22 but the visitors intercepted and score the under the post, with the conversion closing the game.

Newton Abbot 11 : Tavistock 7

On a heavy pitch, Tavistock slipped to a narrow defeat. From the kick off Tavistock put on the early pressure. The first scrum in the home twenty two saw Tavistock create a turnover and Niall Murphy’s break for the try line saw held two metres short. The home side started getting some possession and after working their way to the Tavistock twenty two, they registered their first points by kicking a penalty. The home side were now enjoying a lot of possession and territory without threatening the Tavistock try line. Finally they managed to work the ball wide to touch down in the corner. The half ended with a quick tap penalty in the home twenty two by Dan Oner which saw make a break for the line only to be held up a metre short. The second half again saw the home side dominant but tremendous tackling by Tavistock kept them at bay. They increased their lead with another penalty. This seemed to galvanise Tavistock and a great run by George Rogers from his own twenty two saw get into the home midfield. A penalty followed and a run by Mark Friend was halted. A series of tap penalties saw the forwards get some possession and Billy Boulton touched down in the corner. Ed Longden stroked over the conversion. This turned out to be the last action of a tough match.

Tavistock 25 : Paignton 15

After the disappointment of last weeks defeat, Tavistock picked themselves up to run out winners in a tough but entertaining match. The home side made the early running and dominated the lineout. The opening try came from a scrum that saw Josh Leeson move the ball to Dan Oner who offloaded to Billy Boulton who went over. The visitors hit back and following a lineout, worked the ball across the pitch to touchdown in the corner. Tavistock regained the lead after the forwards won a scrum against the head which enabled Mark Friend to pick up off the back of the scrum and power over the line. A take by Sam Miller at the restart enabled the ball to be worked across to Friend who powered down the wing, offloaded to Tom Thursby who was tackled out in the corner. A knock on in the visitors twenty two enabled Oner to pick up off the back of the scrum and make ground before offloading to Niall Murphy. His offload in the tackle found George Rogers who burst through to touchdown. Jez Cramoysan converted. The second half saw both sides trading early possession before a tap penalty and run saw the visitors go over for their second try. A penalty from Cramoysan in front of the posts enabled Tavistock to increase their lead. The visitors reduced the deficit following a brake down the wing to go over in the corner. A scrum in midfield was won against the head by Tavistock and Ed Longden moved the ball to Oner to move through the visitors defence but the ball was lost. A pick up by Rogers enabled him to make ground and his pass to Thursby saw him make a great run but his grubber kicked rolled out. The final play saw the home scrum at its best. A break off the back by Oner saw him held up a metre out. Friend then broke off the back of the reset scrum to power over for his second try and seal the win in a highly entertaining match.

Tavistock 3 : Ivybridge 33

Tavistock Colts produced a determined and gutsy performance to restrict a strong Ivybridge team to 33 points in blustery conditions at Sandy Park. The visitors started aggressively, collecting the ball from Tavistock’s kick-off and working the ball well through the phases to score their first try after just 3 minutes. Undeterred, Tavistock pressed forward after the restart and won a series of penalties as the visitors aggressive defence overstepped the mark, only to gift the ball to Ivybridge who made their possession pay to score in the corner.

Tavistock again pressed forward and got good results from the line-out as Joe Hair delivered accurately to the high jumping Oner and Hockin. Once again they were pressed back and Ivybridge scored as their number 8 picked the ball from the back of the scum to force over the line. To their credit, Tavistock never stopped attacking and were rewarded by a penalty 30m out as the visitors lost their lock-forward to a yellow card, Leeson converting to give the home team 3 points. The first half finished 3-26 as Ivybridge scored their 4th try.

The second half saw the Tavistock team battle even more strongly and, with the pack on level terms and the whole team fighting for every yard of ground, the final score of 3-33 was a great credit to the Tavistock team.

Tavistock 8 : Brixham 33

Tavistock produced a lack-lustre performance losing 8-33 against Brixham at Sandy park. Missing players from 3 key positions and with some obvious hangover from the superb college win in the Tens Tournament just 3 days earlier, Tavistock never really got a grip on the game. Brixham Forwards scored the first try after 10 minutes, before losing their lock-forward to a red card for a cynical kick at the Tavy scrum half Ross Malton, right under the referee’s nose. Tavy then produced their only try of the game with the backs linking to move the ball right across the pitch for George Rodgers to score in the corner. Despite being down to 14 players, Brixham’s forwards were much more aggressive and the visitors’ second try came from their back-row forwards breaking Tavistock’s line to score under the posts just before half time.

The second half was similar to the first, some good possession by Tavistock before losing the ball to the visitors who made much more yardage, chiefly through their more determined forwards. By 80 minutes, the visitors had scored a further 3 trys to Tavistock’s penalty, both teams had lost a player to a yellow card and the game had become very scrappy. A disappointing result which the team need to learn from before the next match.

Torquay 12 : Tavistock 35

Tavistock got back to winning ways by producing a superb team performance where everyone gave their all in a combination of excellent tackling and running rugby. The home side produced the early pressure but never really threatened the Tavistock line. Break out’s from Dan Oner and George Rogers probed the home side defence. A steal by Oner at a scrum enabled Jack Bond to break from his own twenty two and his superb run was only halted 10 metres short of the line. The first score came as a scrum on halfway enabled Niall Murphy and Josh Leeson to work the ball to Oner who broke through the home defence and his offload 5 metres out enabled Mark Friend to go in under the posts. The home side gained some possession but any threat was thwarted by tremendous tackles by Jez Cramoysan and Friend. The second half started with a series of scrums and lineouts around the home twenty two. From a 10 metre lineout, the combination of Murphy and Leeson worked the ball to Bond who weaved his way through to go under the posts. Tavistock were now threatening at every opportunity and increased their lead when front row, Ali Dawe, kicked the ball through at a scrum. Scrum half Murphy was alive to this and his hack through and pick up enabled him to touchdown under the posts. The home side got on the score sheet with a try following a series of rucks and drives from 5 metres. The next score came as a planned training ground move from a scrum in the home midfield saw Rogers pass to Ed Longden who burst through the defence to touchdown. The final score was a superb individual effort from wing Callum McCormick. With three players descending on him from a twenty two dropout, his flick of the ball and catch enabled him to wrong foot the advancing players and he streaked down the wing to score. Conversions were by Leeson (4) and Cramoysan. With time running out the final play of the game saw the home side get their second try following a tap penalty close to the Tavistock line.

Okehampton 13 : Tavistock 14

On a very heavy pitch, Tavistock held on to record the narrowest of wins. A turnover on halfway enabled Dan Oner to make a break but as he got into the twenty two his outside pass was loose and the ball rolled into touch. Following a series of scrums and lineout’s a high kick by Josh Leeson pushed the home side back into their twenty two where the chasing players managed to turn over the ball. After a couple of drives a ruck formed and the ball was worked to Mark Friend who moved it to Tom Thursby to run in the opening try. Josh Leeson put over the conversion. From the restart Tavistock put the pressure back on as Rufus Gould put a tremendous kick down the line and the chasing players bundled the Okehampton defence into touch. A break by George Rogers saw him hauled down fifteen metres out as the home defence held firm. The home side now gained some possession and after a period of pressure around the Tavistock twenty two, closed out the half by kicking a penalty. The second half saw the home side start strongly and following a steal at a lineout, the forwards drove over for a try. A penalty kick at goal by Josh Leeson was dropping wide of the posts but the home defence let it bounce in the in goal area, failed to gather and the chasing Joe Gosling dived on the loose ball to regain the lead. Josh Leeson converted. The home side put the pressure back on and only some tremendous defence kept them out. They reduced the lead following a take at a lineout that set up a driving maul which went over. Although Tavistock put pressure on in the home twenty two they failed to make it count. The home side then had a chance to steal a win but a penalty drifted wide and Tavistock held on to win an enthralling match.

Tavistock 50 : Sutton Coldfield 17

The tourists put up a spirited display but couldn’t handle Tavistock’s pace and movement. The first try came from captain Robin Jones who burst through a tackle to go over. This was followed by a try from Josh Leeson who intercepted a loose ball to touchdown and then converted. The visitors were finding it difficult to get out of their own half and following a break by Dan Oner the ball was worked to Dan Cunningham to touch down in the corner. The visitors registered their first points with a penalty kick. A Tavistock take at a lineout by Joe Gosling enabled Rufus Gould to get the ball to George Rogers who made a superb weaving run from his own half to go in under the posts. Leeson converted. Following a period of possession, the tourist forwards drove over for a try. The second half started with the visitor forwards putting pressure on the Tavistock line before the ball was cleared to safety. The home forwards now put pressure on the visitor’s line and following a series of drives, Joe Hair bulldozed his way over from 5 metres. Tom Thursby converted. The visitors hit back with another try for the forwards as they drove over from a couple of metres. A quick tap penalty by Dan Oner outside the visitors twenty two caught the home defence napping and he strode through to score .Ed Longden converted. The next try came from Monty Burdfield who gained possession in his own twenty two and then burst up the wing before weaving his way through several tacklers to go in at the corner for a superb individual score. The final score came from Mark Friend who received a beautifully timed pass from Thursby to burst up the wing before cutting in and going under the posts. Longden converted to complete the scoring and round off a good all round team performance.

Tavistock 35 : Plymstock 10

Tavistock continued their winning run with all 6 tries coming from good handling and great pace around the pitch. The first score came from a turnover ball that was worked to Jack Bond who outpaced the defence to go over. Josh Leeson converted. The next try came from a Tavistock scrum on halfway where good handling by Niall Murphy, George Rogers and Tom Thursby released Monty Burdfield who raced down the wing to go in at the corner. The home side’s pace was causing the visitors all sorts of problems and following a break to their twenty two by Dan Cunningham, a pick up by George Rogers saw him double back, round the defence and touchdown in the corner. The visitors were making use of their forwards to try and keep some possession but tremendous tackling by Hallam Bourton and Jack Miller kept them at bay. Eventually their pressure paid off and they went in at the corner. Tavistock responded with a penalty from Jez Cramoyson. The lead was increased as a turn over ball was worked across to George Rogers who’s express pace left the visitors defence floundering as he went in for his second try. Back came Plymstock and following a 5 metre tap penalty they drove over the line for their second try. Both sides were now trading possession as they both looked for a way through the respective defences. A Tavistock scrum in their own half saw Mark Friend break off the back, fend off a couple of tackles and race up the wing to score in the corner. Tavistock’s final score came from Jack Bond who was on the receiving end of a good handling move which enabled him to go in at the corner and round off a thoroughly entertaining match.

Tavistock 10 : Kingsbridge 10

After 4 straight wins, Tavistock went into this match full of confidence. The visitors made the early running and soon had a chance to open the scoring with a penalty but it drifted wide. Strong tackling by Mark Friend and Joe Gosling kept the visitors at bay and Tavistock then put pressure on the opposition line but they managed to clear. The first score then came for the visitors after they took a lineout and managed to break through the home defence to touchdown. A good passing move involving Friend and George Rogers enabled Jack Bond to break to the twenty two where the visitors conceded a penalty. From the lineout, Tavistock set up a rolling maul but were held up. From the resulting scrum, Friend broke off the back to go over and level the scores. Josh Leeson converted to put Tavistock ahead. Both sides were now enjoying periods of possession and pressure but both defences held firm. The visitors regained the lead following a tap penalty 5 metres out which they drove over. In the second half, a fantastic weaving run by Monty Burdfield from his own half saw him dragged down 5 metres short. A 5 metre scrum saw Tavistock try to break through but the visitors cleared. This was followed by a long kick at goal by Jez Cramoyson that just fell short. Tavistock were now dominating and a handling move released Jack Bond who went in at the corner but the referee deemed the final pass forward. Tavistock then gained an advantage following a red card for Kingsbridge. Cramoyson levelled the scores from a penalty in front of the posts. Tavistock were now trying everything to secure the win but they were beaten by the clock in a highly entertaining match.

Teignmouth 10 : Tavistock 36

Tavistock created the early pressure and pinned the home side in their own twenty two. The first score was all the work of Josh Leeson who put up a high ball, chased, and used his height to catch the ball after the defence let it bounce and ran on to touchdown. Tavistock looked to increase their score but Jack Bond was forced into touch as he made for the corner. A scrum won against the head enabled Niall Murphy to make a tremendous weaving run through the home defence but he lost control of the ball as he went over. The home side cut the lead with a penalty. Tavistock soon replied as a loose ball in their own twenty two was picked up by Tom Thursby and his pass to Mark Friend enabled him to break, outpace the defence and go in under the posts. Josh Leeson converted. After trading possession, George Rogers made a break from halfway and his offload to a supporting Jack Miller enabled him to outpace the defence to go over for his first Colts try which drew the biggest cheer of the afternoon. The next try soon followed as Mark Friend claimed his second of the match after breaking from halfway and going in at the corner. The second half started with both sides trading possession before Josh Leeson strolled through the home defence to claim his second try which he then converted. The home side responded and Tavistock had to do some hard tackling and defending. A tap penalty and drive enabled the home side go over for a try. A scrum on halfway enabled George Rogers to get away but he was held up as he went over the line. From the resulting 5 metre scrum, Dan Cunningham broke through several tacklers to go over. Jez Cramoyson converted to round off the scoring and complete a good afternoon’s work for Tavistock.

Tavistock 17 : Devonport 64

Tavistock crashed to a heavy defeat in their last league game of the season. The first score came straight from the kick off as the visitors tried to clear, the kick was charged down and Joe Gosling dived on the loose ball to touchdown. This shocked the visitors into action and from a ruck 5 metres out they went over in the corner. Further tries followed as they put the pressure on and only some tremendous tackles by Tavistock kept the score down. Breaks by Mark Friend and Dan Cunningham came to nothing and the visitors ended the first half with a lead of nineteen points. The second half started brightly for the home side and a tap penalty enabled Dan Oner to get within a couple of metres of the line. The ball was quickly recycled and fed across to Mark Friend who powered in at the corner to cut the lead. Jez Cramoyson converted. The visitors hit back with another try before Tavistock enjoyed some possession and pinned the visitors back in their own twenty two but couldn’t break through a resolute defence. Back came Devonport and loose handling and sloppy tackling gifted them more tries. A great run from his own twenty two by Monty Burdfield got him into the visitors twenty two and the ball was worked across the width of the pitch for Dan Cunningham to break through for a try. This completed the scoring for Tavistock and with them tiring, the visitors ran in some more tries to run out comprehensive winners. Tavistock now look forward to their forthcoming tour to Holland and on return a cup semi final, and possible final, due to their high finish in the table following a successful season under coaches Will Reed and Shaun Boulton.

Exmouth 13 : Tavistock 22

A battling performance saw Tavistock overcome Exmouth to reach the final of the Shield. On a hard pitch, Tavistock had the better of the early exchanges and with Joe Gosling dominating in the lineout, they kept the home side pegged in their twenty two. Several drives for the line by the forwards were driven back before the home side gained some possession and worked their way to halfway. A sudden break from their own half saw them go clear and only a brilliant covering tackle by Jack Bond prevented a try. Breaks by Niall Murphy and George Rogers were repelled by the home defence. A kick through to ten metres resulted in a chase and from the resulting ruck came the first try. A sliced clearance enabled Tavistock to regain possession and Jack Bond burst through the home defence to touchdown. From the restart Tavistock gave away a penalty but the resulting kick at goal sailed wide. Another soon followed and this time it went over to reduce Tavistocks lead. The home side were now getting more ball and a break down the wing was halted by a great tackle by Dan Oner. Two early second half penalties by the home side fell short before they took the lead with their third attempt. A surging run by Dan Oner from halfway resulted in a penalty which Jez Cramoyson stroked over to regain the lead. The home side were then reduced to fourteen players following a red card. Another tremendous run by Dan Oner saw him tackled ten metres out but his offload to the supporting Monty Burdfield enabled him to jog in for a try. Josh Leeson converted. Tavistock were now dominating and a lovely chip by Josh Leeson caused havoc in the home defence enabling captain Robin Jones to grab the bouncing ball and drive over for a try. Josh Leeson converted. With time running out, the home side managed to go over for a try but Tavistock held on to record a tremendous win.